The largest container ports in Europe – TOP 15

Maritime transport is the backbone of global trade, and container ports in Europe are an important part of its foundations. It is thanks to them, among other things, that goods from even the most remote countries reach us every day, and millions of consumers and businesses have uninterrupted access to a wide range of products and raw materials.

Today, European transhipment terminals are among the most modern and efficient in the world. Driven by investment, developed infrastructure and strategic locations, they set the pace for logistics across the continent.

In this article, we present a ranking of the 15 largest container ports in Europe, based on complete data for 2024. Find out which ports dominate the region, where transhipment is growing the fastest and what forces are driving maritime logistics in this part of the world.

Read also: What is maritime transport? Advantages and disadvantages of sea freight >>>

The importance of container ports in European logistics

Container ports are key links in the supply chains that connect Europe with markets around the world. Their role goes far beyond transhipment – they are distribution centres, intermodal hubs and a base for industry and trade. The efficiency of these facilities, increasingly supported by modern technologies, has a direct impact on the prices of goods, delivery times and the competitiveness of the European economy.

A high level of automation, developed container terminals, rail and road connections, as well as access to the deepest waterways mean that Europe’s largest ports now function as highly specialised logistics machines. This enables them to efficiently handle the growing volume of international trade, keeping delays and downtime to a minimum.

TOP 15 – Largest container ports in Europe

Our ranking is based on complete data for 2024 and includes a comparison with the results for 2023. It shows which container ports in Europe are maintaining their dominance and which are gaining in importance thanks to dynamic growth in transhipments.

#1 Port of Rotterdam (Netherlands)

13 820 000 TEU (source)

The Port of Rotterdam has been the largest container port in Europe for many years – and one of the most important in the world. Located in the Rhine delta, it serves as a strategic hub for sea, land and river transport. With a depth of 24 metres, it can accommodate the world’s largest container ships and operates around the clock at maximum capacity.

In 2024, the port handled 13.82 million TEU, representing a 2.8% increase year-on-year. This result strengthens its position as the busiest port in Europe.

Official website of the Port of Rotterdam >>>

#2 Port of Antwerp-Bruges (Belgium)

13 532 436 TEU (source)

The Port of Antwerp-Bruges, formed from the merger of the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge, has strengthened its position as the second largest container port in Europe. In 2024, it handled over 13.5 million TEU, which translates into an increase of 8.13% year-on-year – the highest among the top three.

The difference in transhipment between Antwerp-Bruges and Rotterdam has narrowed significantly, confirming the growing importance of the Belgian port on the European logistics map. Thanks to its excellent connections with the hinterland, the port plays an important transit role for countries located in the centre of Europe.

Official website of the Port of Antwerp-Bruges >>>

#3 Port of Hamburg (Germany)

7 800 000 TEU (source)

The Port of Hamburg remains the third largest container port in Europe and one of the most important for Central Europe. In 2024, it achieved a result of 7.8 million TEU, representing a 1.3% increase year-on-year.

Its location and access to a well-developed rail and river infrastructure make it a key transit point for many markets in the region.

Official website of the Port of Hamburg >>>

#4 Port of Valencia (Spain)

5 475 773 TEU (source)

The Port of Valencia is the largest container port in Spain and one of the fastest growing in Europe. In 2024, it handled over 5.47 million TEU, an increase of 14.15% year-on-year.

Thanks to its favourable location on the west coast of the Iberian Peninsula and the planned expansion of its terminal infrastructure, Valencia is strengthening its position as an important transit point in the Mediterranean region.

Official website of the Port of Valencia >>>

#5 Port of Algeciras (Spain)

4 706 145 TEU (source)

The Port of Algeciras, strategically located at the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea, remains one of the most important shipping hubs in Europe. In 2024, it handled over 4.7 million TEU, recording a slight decrease of 0.58% year-on-year.

Despite this adjustment, the port maintains its strong position in the region and continues to play an important role in international container transit.

Official website of the Port of Algeciras >>>

#6 Port of Bremerhaven (Germany)

4 444 813 TEU (source)

The Port of Bremerhaven is Germany’s second largest container port after Hamburg. In 2024, it handled over 4.44 million TEU, a 6.31% increase compared to 2023.

Thanks to the expansion of its terminals and the implementation of advanced management systems, the port is constantly improving its efficiency and competitiveness on the European market.

Official website of the Port of Bremerhaven >>>

#7 Port of Piraeus (Greece)

4 228 000 TEU (source)

The Port of Piraeus is the largest container port in Greece and one of the main transhipment points in the Mediterranean. In 2024, it recorded a throughput of 4.23 million TEU, a decrease of 7.8% year-on-year.

Despite the decline in volume handled, the port maintains a significant position in the region and remains an important link in Southern European container logistics.

Official website of the Port of Piraeus >>>

#8 Port of Gioia Tauro (Italy)

3 940 447 TEU (source)

The Port of Gioia Tauro, located in southern Italy, is the country’s largest container port and one of the main transhipment hubs in the Mediterranean. In 2024, it achieved a record result of over 3.94 million TEU, representing an increase of 11.04% year-on-year.

Its position is mainly due to its favourable geographical location – the port serves as an important transhipment point on routes between Europe, Asia and Africa.

Official website of the Port of Gioia Tauro >>>

#9 Port of Barcelona (Spain)

3 888 977 TEU (source)

The Port of Barcelona is one of the fastest growing container ports in Europe. In 2024, it handled almost 3.89 million TEU, a significant increase of 18.56% compared to the previous year – one of the highest results in this year’s ranking.

The high transhipment growth is the result of increased container traffic and the development of port infrastructure. Barcelona is strengthening its position as an important transhipment hub in the western Mediterranean.

Official website of the Port of Barcelona >>>

#10 HAROPA Port (France)

3 100 000 TEU (source)

HAROPA is an integrated port complex comprising Le Havre, Rouen and Paris, forming one of the most important transhipment centres in north-western Europe. In 2024, the port achieved a record result of 3.1 million TEU, representing an increase of 18.7% year-on-year.

Thanks to its location on the North Sea and direct river connections to the centre of the country, HAROPA is an important part of the import and export structure in France and throughout continental Europe.

Official website of the Port of HAROPA >>>

#11 Port of Marsaxlokk (Malta)

2 860 000 TEU (source)

The Port of Marsaxlokk, also known as Malta Freeport, is Malta’s main container port and one of the most important transhipment hubs in the region. In 2024, it handled 2.86 million TEU, recording a 2.1% increase year-on-year.

Due to its favourable geographical location in the central part of the Mediterranean basin, the port is of great importance for transit traffic between Europe and the Middle East and North Africa.

Official website of the Port of Marsaxlokk >>>

#12 Ports of Genoa (Italy)

2 820 501 TEU (source)

The ports of Genoa form the largest port complex in north-western Italy, playing a key role in Italian foreign trade. In 2024, over 2.82 million TEU were handled here, which translates into a 2.9% increase year-on-year.

Thanks to its developed infrastructure and proximity to major industrial centres, this port remains an important link in the European logistics network, particularly in terms of connections between Italy and continental European markets.

Official website of the Ports of Genoa >>>

#13 Port of Gdańsk (Poland)

2  248  764 TEU (source)

The Port of Gdańsk is the largest container port in Poland and one of the fastest growing ports in Central and Eastern Europe. In 2024, it achieved a throughput of over 2.24 million TEU, generating growth of 9.68% year-on-year, thus approaching the European leaders.

The dynamic development of the Baltic Hub terminal and investments in the port’s infrastructure are strengthening its position as one of the key points on the map of European container ports.

Official website of the Port of Gdańsk >>>

#14 Port of Sines (Portugal)

1 900 000 TEU (source)

The Port of Sines is the largest container port in Portugal and one of the most promising ports on the Atlantic coast. In 2024, transhipment reached 1.9 million TEU, representing a 16% increase year-on-year.

Thanks to its deep-water terminal and location along major shipping routes, the port is becoming an increasingly important transhipment point for traffic between Europe, America and Africa.

Official website of the Port of Sines >>>

#15 Port of Marseille (France)

1 450 000 TEU (source)

The Port of Marseille, also known as Port Marseille Fos, is the most important container port in southern France. In 2024, transhipment reached 1.45 million TEU, representing a 9% increase year-on-year.

Thanks to its strategic location on the Mediterranean Sea and access to fast connections with southern Europe, Marseille is an important transit point in the region.

Official website of the Port of Marseille >>>

Summary

The above ranking shows that the largest container ports in Europe are not only maintaining their high positions, but in most cases are strengthening them. The growth in transhipments and the development of infrastructure confirm the growing role of these facilities in the European transport system – both as logistics centres and as important sources of jobs and impetus for the regional economy. There is also a noticeable increase in the importance of ports in the south and east of the continent, which are increasingly competing with the traditional leaders from the North Sea region.

The TOP 15 ranking therefore reflects the current balance of power in maritime logistics in terms of container transhipment volumes and indicates which ports are currently the most important in Europe in this respect. For most of them, this is the result of long-term investments and consistent development strategies that are bringing the expected results.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is the largest container port in Europe?

The largest container port in Europe is the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherlands. In 2024, it handled 13.82 million TEU.

Which container ports are the largest in Europe?

The three largest European container ports are Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges and Hamburg.

What is the largest port on the Baltic Sea?

The largest port on the Baltic Sea and one of the fastest growing European container ports is the Port of Gdańsk, which handled over 2.24 million TEUs in 2024. It is not only a leader in the region, but also a key port for cargo in north-eastern Europe. Its importance is constantly growing thanks to the expansion of its infrastructure and the Baltic Hub terminal.

Why are containers so popular in maritime transport?

Container transport is currently the most popular method of transporting goods by sea – the standardisation of containers enables easy transhipment and intermodal transport.